Venetian blind bar organization and fitting



y 5, 1953 H. NELSON 2,637,382

VENETIAN BLIND BAR ORGANIZATION AND FITTING Filed NOV. 1.2, 1952 FIG.4

INVENTOR HA RR) N515 O V I S ATTORNEYS FIG.8

Patented May 5, 195.;

UNITED STATES OFFICE VENETIAN BLIND, nan O GANIZATION FITTING Harry Nelson, M'eKeespor-t, Pa, assignor *to Lor-e'ntsen 'ltiardware Mfig fGorpi, New 35014:, N. Y., a corporation of New York Apjiiica-tionNovember-12, 1 952, Sei ial Nb.-31'9;"87 7 13 Claims. (01. rte-17's) This invention relates to Venetian blinds, and, more particularly, to anew and improved bottom bar organization and parts therefor. Thisapplicatien is a continuation in part of application S. N. 46,737 (now Patent 2,623,681) filed August 30, 1,948, and a continuation in part of application S. N. 780,653 (-now Patent 2,6;l8;3 29)-, filed October '18, 1947.

Venetian blinds are customarily provided with a bottom bar which extends for the width-of the blind and to which the lower ends of the ladder tapes, and usually the lift cords, are attached. This bar is usually thicker and heavier than the intermediate blind slats and in the past has often been made of Wood even though the intermediate slats have often been made of metal.

I In the forms of the present invention shown, thehottom bar of the blind is formed of an as.- sembly of rolled and stamped sheet metal parts consisting principally of a channel-shaped body and a resilient transversely arched sheet metal cover for the open side of the body, which cover may be formed of metal Venetian blind slat stock.

Various fittings, such as end fittings for the channel-shaped body and anchors for securing the ends of the ladder tapes and lift cords of the blind to the bottom bar, complete the bots tom assembly. The present invention is particul'arly concerned with the end fittings for the channel-shaped body and cover. The end i'ittings are held in assembled reiation with the bottom bar by the interfittin'g of portions of the end fitting with the channel-shaped body in turn, hold the cover in position infthe channel, separate fastening devices or weldin of the parts of the bottom bar assembly being unnecessary.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide 'anfimprove'd Venetian blind bottom bar assembly that is of pleasing appearance, that may be easily assembled, that is held in assembled relation merely by the interfittin'g or the parts without the necessity ojffspecial fasteningfm'eans, and to provide an ens fitting fre su'eh assembly which may be easily and cheaply manufactured which may be used interchangeably in blinds either with or with-out hold-down brackets.

My "invention is clearly defined in the appfinded claims. In the claims, as "well as in the description, parts are at times identified byspecific names for clarity and convenience. but such nomenclature is to be understood as having the broadest meaning consistent with the context and with the concept of myinvention as distingui'shed "from the pertinent prior art. The best form in which I have contemplated applying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming .part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective viewof the bottom portion of a Venetian blind, including a J2 bottomflbar with an end fittingaccording to the first form of the invention.

Fig. is a fragmentary perspective view of the bottom bar and end fitting assembly of Fig. 1 certain "of the parts being shown in exploded ea o Fig. "3 is a 'top'plan view of the end fitting of igan 2 'Fig. e is a side elevation of the end fitting of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the bottom bar tale'en generally on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a bottoin'b'ar assembly incorporating a second form of em; fitting, portions of the bottom bar cover and or the top flange or the end fitting being broken away for clarity of illustration. 7

Figl'lis "a fr gmentary erspective view of the bottom has and end 'fitt assembl of Fig. 6, certain of the arts being shown exploded fe lati'on v I Fig.3 is h. 'perspeetiveview or a third. forth "of end fitting according to the present invention.

A portion of a, venetian bll'hd, including the lowermost intermediate "slat 10 "supported in the customary mannerby two or more ladder tapes ll (one shown) is illustrated in Fig. '1. A bottom bar assembly "[2 according to the present invention is secured to the lower "end of the lad.- der tapes I] asis usual.

Referring to Fig. 2, the bottom b'ar assembly there shown "includes "a channel-shaped sheet metal body designated as a whole by the refere'nlc'e chfaraster '13. This b-od'y'is formed of relatively rigid sheet metal and may conveniently be formed by rolling. The body 13 is formed of a'cha'nnelof uniform cross section throughout its length, the cross-sectionalshape being shown in Figs. 2 and -5. The bottom 'vv'all 14 or the body [3 is generally fiat except iortwospaced rounded folds or corrugations l5, [5 extending for the length of the body which project vertically upward as shown. The corrugations or folds 55, I 5 of the first form or bottom hal body are open, being formed with pacea've tlcn Walls, and are f ed symmetrically with respect to the longi- I "center line of the body it so as to leave a'central passage extending for the length of the may.

The sides i6, I'S'bf the body 13 "entend vertical- 1y upward de i s. short distance and at their tops are provided with outwardly projecting beads H, H ii'oin which the edges 1'8, 18 extend inw'ardiy. V The corrugatiiihs '15, I5 extend upward ly Slightly higher enan'tne inturn'ed edges IB, l3 of the body. 7 i

The edges 18, i the body t3 may be turned downwardly in addition to extending inwardly in order to partially conceal the extreme terminal portions of theedges, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. This configuration is particularly desirable if the body is is formed 'of strip metal which is painted when in-flat form :prior to rolling into the shape shown, since in the rolling process some of the paint may be scraped from the extreme terminal edge portions.

A cover strip is is provided for closing the open side of the channel-shaped body. This cover strip is formed of resilient sheet material such as metal and is preferably formed of a resilient, transversely arched intermediate slat of the blind having an openin 29 formed for the passage of each lift cord. The cover strip l9 may be and desirably is in all respects similar to the other intermediate blind slats.

The body It and cover strip is are so proportioned that the cover strip may be telescoped or otherwise fitted into the body, the lateral edges of the cover strip being received within the inside of the beads H, I1 and immediately below the inturned edges it, 1-8. To aid in preventing fortuitous movement of the cover strip 19 relative to the body l3, the corrugations or folds l5, l are formed sufliciently high so that as the cover strip E9 is placed within the body, it is necessary to increase slightly the transverse arch of the cover strip, the resilience of the cover strip biasing its lateral edges into frictional engagement with the undersides of the inturned edges I 8, N3 of the body and also biasing its central portion into frictional engagement with the tops of the corrugations l5, l5.

The cover strip is may be assembled with the body i3 by forcibly arching the cover strip upwardly until both edges thereof may be entered into the beads ll, 1? at some point along the length of the strip. Then, by running a suitable tool, such as a knife, along the remainder of the strip, the strip may be sprung into engagement with the body, the cover strip is assuming the same position as it would if telescoped endwise into the body it.

Each open end of the channel-shaped body [3 is closed by an end fitting 2|. In the fitting shown herein, a generally flat end plate portion 22 of the end fitting 2! is shaped so as to cover the entire end of the bottom bar assembly l2. A top marginal flange 23 extending along the top edge of the end plate portion 22 overlies the end of the cover strip 59 to further serve in preventing fortuitous displacement of the cover strip, the curvature of this flange matching the curvature of the cover l9. Preferably, the flange 23 terminates somewhat short of the ends of the end plate portion 22 so as to fit between the inturned edges l8, l8 of the body I3.

The base portion of the end fitting 2| (Fig. 2) includes a pair of spaced flanges 2t, 24 which are generally L-shaped in cross section. The flanges 24, 24 are adapted to be telescoped within the body I3, one flange fitting in each of the side channels between the folds or corrugations l5, l5 and the sides It, is of the channel and the flanges frictionally engaging the inner surfaces of the channel so as to hold the fitting against fortuitous displacement. To this end, the horizontal portion of each of the L-shaped flanges 24 lies against the bottom wall i4 ofthe channel-shaped body 13, and the vertical portion of each of the flanges lies adjacent the inner surface of a vertical wall in of the body. The upper edge of each of the flanges 24, 2 lpreferably is provided with an outwardly turned flange 25 for engaging the inner surface of the channel. Preferably, the flanges 24, 24 and 25, 25 are somewhat wedge shaped as indicated in the drawings, tapering slightly towards the end of the fitting 2| removed from the plate portion 22 so as to firmly Wedge within the channel-shaped body [3 upon application thereto. The inner edge of each of the flanges 24, 24 is preferably provided with a terminal, upwardly, inwardly directed lug 26 for frictionally engaging a side of one of the folds or corrugations I5, IS.

The end fitting 2i may be adapted for the reception of a hollow tube or pin 21 when the bar is to be used as a bottom bar in conjunction with hold-down brackets such as shown (for example) in my U. S. Patent 2,402,769, June 25, 1946. For this purpose, the plate portion 22 is provided with a centrally located round hole 29 for reception of the pin 2?.

Beneath the hole 2! a central base flange 30 projects from the lower edge of the plate portion 22 between the flanges 24, 2d. The flange 30 is turned upwardly at its free end to provide a vertical portion spaced from and generally parallel to the plate portion 22. Integral gussets 3!, 3| may be turned up from the flange 30 along the sides thereof (Fig. 2) to reinforce the flange against bending. Preferably, a prong 32 is struck from the flange 38 to extend from a point near the free end of the flange towards the hole 29 in the plate portion 22, the proportions of the prong being such that it will enter tightly within the tubular pin 2"! so as to hold the inner end of the pin in alignment and frictionally engage the pin to retain it against fortuitous displacement.

After the body l3 and cover [9 are assembled, the end fittings 2! are assembled one on each end of the assembly [2 by entering the flanges 22, 24 of the end fitting into the longitudinally extending side passages between the folds l5, l5 and the sides l6, 16 of the body l3. After substantial insertion of these flanges into the passages, the central base flange 30 of the fitting will then enter the central passage lying between the folds l5, l5. The end fitting may be telescoped into position Within the assembly of channel and cover by a steady pressure, or by driving it inwardly, the end fitting 2! being forced inwardly until the end plate portion 22 thereof lies in contact with the end of the channel-shaped body [3. When the end fitting 2i has been so positioned, the curved top marginal flange 23 of the end fitting overlies the end of the cover strip [9 and lies between the inturned edges l8, 18 of the body [3. If desired, the pin 27 may be insorted into the end fitting 2| either before or after assembling the end fitting into the bottom bar assembly l 2, the inner end of the pin receiving the prong 32 as above described so as to frictionally retain the pin.

A second form of Venetian-blind bottom bar and end fitting organization according to the present invention is shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawing. In this embodiment of the invention, the channel-shaped body 34 is generally similar to the body [3 previously described, with the exception that the bottom wall 35of the channel is folded upwardly to form two spaced folds 36, 36 in which the metal is folded back upon itself as indicated in Fig. 7 rather than the open fold or corrugations I 5, I5 of the body l3. Also, the longitudinal edges of the channel are folded upwardly to form the sides 37, 37 of the body and then are inwardly directed to form the edge portions 39, 39, there being no portions corresponding to the beads I7, I! of the body I3.

A metal cover strip [9 formed of Venetian blind slatstock and similar in all respects to the cover l9 of the first form of the invention is engaged with the body 34 in a similar manner t th t 7 flat end plate corresponding in outline to the cross section of the bar and having a pair of mounting flanges projecting from the bottom edge of the end plate in spaced parallel relation on one side thereof, the flanges being generally L-shaped in cross section and tapering slightly away from the end plate.

7. In the art of Venetian blinds, a hollow metal bar assembly, comprising: a channel-shaped body having upwardly and inwardly directed longitudinal edges and two parallel ribs upfolded from the base and dividing the body into three parallel channel portions; a springy sheet cover strip for the body, said strip having its edges engaged beneath the inturned lateral edges of the body and the mid-portion of the cover strip engaging the tops of the upfolded ribs; and an end fitting, said end fitting comprising a plate portion of outline corresponding to the cross section of the bar and closing the end of the bar, and a pair of mounting flanges projecting from the plate portion of the end fitting, said mounting flanges being received one within each of the side channel portions of the body and frictionally engaging the inner Walls of said channel portions to hold the fitting against displacement.

8. In the art of Venetian blinds, a hollow metal bar assembly, comprising: a channel-shaped body having upwardly and inwardly directed longitudinal edges and at least one parallel rib upfolded from the base and dividing the body into at least two parallel channel portions; 9. springy sheet cover strip for the body, said strip having its edges engaged beneah the inturned lateral edges of the body and the midportion of the cover strip engaging the top of the upfolded ribs; and an end fitting, said end fitting comprising a plate portion of outline corresponding to the cross section of the bar and closing the end of the bar, and a pair of mounting flanges projecting from the lower edge of the plate portion of the end fitting, said mounting flanges being received one within each of two channel portions of the body and frictionally engaging the inner walls of said channel portions to hold the fitting against displacement.

9. In the art of Venetian blinds, a hollow metal bar assembly, comprising: a channel-shaped body having upwardly and inwardly directed longitudinal edges and two parallel ribs upfolded from the base and dividing the body into three parallel channel portions; a spring sheet cover strip for the body, said strip having its edges engaged beneath the inturned lateral edges of the body and the midportion of the cover strip engaging the tops of the upfolded ribs; and an end fitting, said end fitting comprising a plate portion of outline corresponding to the cross section of the bar and closing the end of the bar, and a pair of mounting flanges projecting from the lower edge of the plate portion of the end fitting, said mounting flanges being slightly tapered in a direction away from the plate portion, received one within each of the side channel portions of the body, and frictionally engaging the inner walls of said channel portions to hold the fitting against displacement.

10. A bar assembly as claimed in claim 9 in which a top flange on the plate portion of the end fitting overlies the end of the cover strip.

11. In the art of Venetian blinds, a hollow metal bar assembly, comprising: a substantially rigid, channel-shaped body having upwardly and inwardly directed longitudinal edges; 9, springy sheet cover strip for the body, said strip being transversely arched and having it edges engaged beneath the inturned lateral edges of the body, and an end fitting, said end fitting comprising a plate portion of outline corresponding to the cross section of the bar and closing the end of the bar, at least one mounting flange projecting from an edge of the plate portion of the end fitting, said mounting flange being slightly tapered in a direction away from the plate portion and received within and frictionally engaging inner surfaces of the body to hold the fitting against displacement and a laterally projecting flange extending from the top edge of the plate, overlying and following the curve of the cover strip and extending between the inwardly directed edges of the body, the end portions of the flange being in edge-to-edge relation with the inwardly directed edges of the body.

12. In the art of Venetian blinds, a hollow meta1 bar assembly, comprising: a substantially rigid, channel-shaped body having upwardly and inwardly directed longitudinal edges and at least one parallel rib upfolded from the base and dividing the body into at least two parallel channel portions; a springy sheet cover strip for the body, said stri being transversely arched and having its edges engaged beneath the inturned lateral edges of the body and the midportion of the cover strip engaging the top of the upfolded rib; and an end fitting, said end fitting comprising a plate portion of outline corresponding to the cross section of the bar and closing the end of the bar, at least one mounting flange projecting from an edge of the plate portion of the end fitting, said mounting flange being slightly tapered in a direction away from the plate portion and received within and frictionally engaging inner surfaces of the walls of the body to hold the fitting against displacement and a laterally projecting flange extending from the top edge of the plate overlying and following the curve of the cover strip and extending between the inwardly directed edges of the body, the end portions of the flange being in edge-to-edge relation with the inwardly directed edges of the body.

13. In the art of Venetian blinds, a hollow metal bar assembly, comprising: a substantially rigid, channel-shaped body having upwardly and inwardly directed longitudinal edges; a springy sheet cover strip for the body, said strip being transversely arched and having its edges engaged beneath the inturned lateral edges of the body; and an end fitting, said end fitting comprising a plate portion of outline corresponding to the cross section of the bar and closing the end of the bar, a portion of the end fitting projecting generally normal to the plate portion thereof and received within and frictionally engaging inner surfaces of the body to hold the fitting against displacement, and a laterally projecting flange extending from the top edge of the plate, overlying and following the curve of the cover strip and extending between the inwardly directed edges of the body, the end portions of the i flange being in edge-to-edge relation with the inwardly directed edge of the body.

HARRY NELSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,065,908 Pihl Dec. 29, 1936 2,079,852 Grassby, Jr May 11, 1937 2,105,082 Johnson Jan. 11, 1938 2,174,249 Pratt Sept. 26, 1939 2,529,229 Sherwood Nov, 7, 1950 

